Harpist to perform at SUNY Cortland

02/21/2020 

Minneapolis-based harpist Andrea Stern will perform music ranging from Celtic to Beatles to Bach on Tuesday, March 3, at SUNY Cortland.

Stern, whose humor and warmth aims to engage audiences of all ages in her eclectic performances, will present a concert at 7 p.m. in Old Main Brown Auditorium.

The event, which continues the 35th anniversary season of the SUNY Cortland Campus Artist and Lecture Series (CALS), will recognize Women’s History Month at SUNY Cortland.

Thought to be one of the world’s oldest musical instruments, the harp has 37 different ways to make sounds.

Stern’s solo performance will include a variety of classical and cultural pieces utilizing both the concert and Celtic harps. Her performances offer an around-the-world tour that takes students from Japan to Ireland to Latin America as they experience Stern’s dazzling sounds and technical workings on her instruments.

Much of her music explores the music, stories, limericks and lore of Ireland. Listeners may gain insight into Irish traditions and their impact on music and dance on American culture.

Stern has been described by audiences as “sparkling...warm...delightful...eclectic.” She is dedicated to sharing her musical talent with young people using humor and warmth. Fans have commented that it isn’t just her music but her very presence that inspires a memorable concert.

A professional performing artist for more than two decades, Stern has experience performing with symphonies throughout the world.

She has performed with chamber ensembles and orchestras in the United States including the Phoenix, Hartford, Duluth and Fargo Symphonies and abroad including the Hong Kong and Belgrade symphonies. Stern was principal harpist for three years with the Maracaibo (Venezuela) Symphony and for five years with the Minnesota Opera.

She has appeared with a number of celebrities, including Sammy Davis Jr., Olivia Newton John, Johnny Mathis, Herb Alpert, The Moody Blues and Claudia Schmidt.

Stern serves as an adjunct faculty member at Augsburg College and the University of St. Thomas, appointments that allow her to engage audiences and students in their appreciation for the arts.

She studied at Oakland University, the Cleveland Institute of Music and the New England Conservatory (B. music), continuing with graduate studies at the University of Arizona.

More information about Stern can be found on her page on GL Berg entertainment’s website.

Tickets prices are $3 for all students, free for children 10 and younger but a ticket is still required, $8 for senior citizens ages 60 and older, and $10 for general admission.

Tickets are available electronically through the College Store of SUNY Cortland (select ‘shop’ on the top menu and then ‘event tickets’); or in person between 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Campus Activities Office of Corey Union, Room 406; by calling 607-753-5574; or at the door starting one hour before show time.

CALS is funded by the SUNY Cortland Auxiliary Services Corporation and the Cortland College Foundation.

For more information about tickets, call the CALS office at 607-753-5574 during the above hours. For information about the concert, follow SUNY Cortland CALS on Facebook and Instagram or check out the SUNY Cortland Campus Artist and Lecture Series website.